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Lift Operators

Job Overview

Reach Your Peak at Vail Resorts. You’re someone who pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo. You’re brave, ambitious and passionate in everything you do. And we want you on our team. Pursue your fullest potential and never settle in the quest to deliver extraordinary guest service. Join one of the world’s most innovative companies and re-imagine a mountain resort experience with us. Welcome to Vail Resorts. Reach Your Peak.

The Kirkwood Mountain Resort Lift Operations Team is searching for hard working, dedicated skiers and riders to join them for the 18/19 winter season!

Job Summary: As a lift operator you are responsible for the safety of our guests while they are loading, riding, and unloading our chairlifts. You will spend your winter in an outdoor office with a stunning mountain setting. Operating a chair lift at Kirkwood is a high paced job that will keep you active all day. We sculpt snow, guide our guests to some of the finest terrain near Tahoe and copilot a multimillion dollar machine in every type of weather mother-nature can throw at us.

Kirkwood is a unique mountain. 58% of our 2,300 acres is advanced/expert terrain. We are ranked in the top 10 snowiest places on earth. Due to the amount of precipitation we receive, being a lift operator at Kirkwood can be more physically demanding than other resorts. We work hard but we also shred hard. Passion is an essential competency for our leaders. It is one of our highest priorities to ensure you are getting the most out of your job and are able to ski or ride every day. Apply today! But first, check out how remote our location is, watch some videos, look at our trail map, then read the requirements below.

#KirkwoodDeep, “My Mountain” Kirkwood, and subscribe to the Kirkwood channel by clicking here!

A day in the life of a lifty:

Start work while the sun rises on Thimble Peak. Perform maintenance checks and document dispatch clearance times with state inspected logs. Use a variety of tools to sweep seats, shovel snow, and grade surface areas around the loading zone. Set up rope and pole mazes using drills and fence post pounders. Install mesh fencing and ANSI signage. Complete line inspections and ski/or ride to remote areas of the mountain. Identify and group appropriate number of guests in an efficient and effective manner. Welcome and greet guests as they enter line queues and assist as needed. Master the repetitive motion of holding the chair as guests sit down. Physically assist children and handicapped skiers onto chairlifts. Follow varying procedures for correctly shutting down the chair lifts after last chair. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and extreme weather conditions.

Requirements: At least 18 years old at beginning of employment. High school diploma or equivalent. Ability to read, write, and speak English. Comfortable with seeing/hearing/feeling explosions used for avalanche mitigation. Be able to lift 50 lbs., climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, stand, walk, push, pull, grasp, feel, hear, see, repetitive motions. Must be able to adhere to an early morning starting time. Be able to work up to 10 hours in all winter weather conditions at altitude (7800’ – 9800’). Ski or snowboard at an Intermediate level (If not you will be assigned to lifts that do not require you to ski or ride to get to your work station. There are limited positions) – Preferred

Schedule:

Nov. – April. Holidays and weekends are required. 45+hr/week. 7:20am-4:45pm 5 days a week. Part-time shifts are available too. Pay starts at $12.50/hour.

Kirkwood is for those that embrace the big mountain lifestyle and are as passionate about skiing and riding as they are about creating amazing experiences for our guests. Magical, raw, expansive and remote…Kirkwood is the stuff of legend. We’re famous for legendary snowfall, challenging inbounds terrain, backcountry guided tours and premier avalanche education programs. Those that come here come for an adventure unique to Kirkwood! Join our close-knit team working at one of the most stunning alpine resorts in the country. www.vailresortscareers.com

No transportation? Don’t want to make the drive? No problem! We have an employee shuttle that runs EVERYDAY from South Lake Tahoe to Kirkwood, free of cost! We encourage all employees who don’t want to make the commute themselves to jump on the shuttle, sit back and relax, on their way to work! OR if you would prefer to drive AND want to make some extra cash, you will definitely want to participate in our Employee Carpool Program! Make up to $25.00 a DAY just for driving your fellow employees to work!

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